Virtual building inspections soon to be an industry norm in Singapore

Source: JTC. The virtual TOP inspection session in progress at JTC semiconSpace with the screen at left showing a 360-degree photo of the building and the screen at right showing its point cloud data.

JTC and the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) have successfully piloted Singapore’s first virtual Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) inspections at two JTC industrial projects, eliminating the need for inspectors from technical authorities to be present on-site. These pilots will pave the way for industry-wide adoption.

The virtual inspections are enabled by advanced reality capture technology, which allows accurate and reliable 3D data to be produced. Using point cloud data* and integrating with 360-degree photo capture solutions, detailed inspections can be conducted on works to allow for checking and an easy tracking of progress for construction. LiDAR scanning was utilised for the first virtual TOP inspection at JTC Logistics Hub @ Gul as this technology produces highly accurate 3D data, with deviations of less than 2 mm. Such data is also known as point cloud data.

After the first virtual TOP inspection, JTC improved the workflow by adding a 360-degree photo platform for the second inspection at JTC semiconSpace project. Each 360-degree photo, also known as a panoramic photo or spherical photo, is an image that captures a complete view of the surroundings in all directions (akin to the street view function in common digital maps). This helps to speed up the process because virtual site walkthroughs in the 360-degree photo platform can be done.

Instead of a physical TOP inspection, the new workflow allows the BCA inspector and project team to access the site virtually together through the 360-degree photo platform and point cloud data. Measurements and close-up photos can be prepared ahead of time and attached in the 360-degree photo platform. Inspection locations within the building can be switched instantaneously on the platform to check the measurements attached for regulatory compliance, and these measurements can be cross-referenced with the point cloud data if necessary. This process is much faster as compared to physically accessing the site and manually taking measurements across the building site.

The quality of the inspection is further ensured as the inspection comments are digitally recorded and tracked for closure, including specific locations. A report can also be auto generated for ease of reference and documentation. Comparisons before and after the follow-ups can also be traced through the platform to enhance and streamline the TOP process. This new virtual TOP workflow can potentially reduce time and manpower by up to 30% for both the project team and inspection officers.

The virtual TOP inspections took place at JTC Logistics Hub @ Gul in April 2021 and JTC semiconSpace in Tampines Wafer Fab Park in September 2022. The projects then received their TOP in May 2021 and October 2022, respectively. Since then, JTC and BCA have been working closely to develop the virtual TOP guidelines for JTC projects, which will pave the way for an industry framework for wider adoption. JTC has also specified the requirement for virtual TOP inspections in JTC’s subsequent construction projects.

Said Darren Lim, Group Director, Audit & Inspection, BCA: “Virtual TOP inspection makes the process more efficient, saving time both for the industry and government agencies, and enabling manpower upskilling. BCA is developing a set of technical guidelines for virtual TOP requirements for the industry, learning from the experience of the pilot trials with JTC and other stakeholders. We will share the details when ready.”

Besides adopting technology solutions for virtual TOP inspection, JTC is also using 360-degree reality capture solutions in construction site management. These 360- degree images of construction sites are captured regularly and the platform is used for coordination, progress tracking, documentation and reporting by the site teams across various time periods.

JTC’s initial trials show potential man-hour savings and productivity gains of up to 50% across the entire construction value chain, from the developers to site staff, main contractors and sub-contractors. Additionally, this technology also provides JTC with a better oversight of the whole construction site, improves the speed and accuracy of site information shared among project team members for ease of follow-ups, and ensures better accountability.

Said Tan Chee Kiat, Group Director, Engineering, JTC: “As the public sector’s Centre of Excellence for Building and Infrastructure, JTC is continually working on digitalising our construction processes. We are excited that the virtual TOP pilot is successful and look forward to implementing it to all JTC projects. This will support Singapore’s push for integrated digital delivery across the entire chain of the built environment. We will continue to explore smart technology inspection solutions that can help us better manage projects at JTC and the public sector.”

JTC has further launched a tender to use such reality capture technologies at all JTC-managed projects. This will enable JTC to enhance progress tracking, improve quality control, and improve safety through remote inspection. JTC is also exploring other use cases to maximise the benefits of such technologies in the area of facilities management and construction preliminary work surveys.

*Point cloud data is a collection of data points in a three-dimensional coordinate system. These points represent the external surface of objects or environments, and they are usually generated through technologies like laser scanning, LiDAR (light detection and ranging). Each point in the point cloud is defined by its spatial coordinates (X, Y, and Z) and sometimes includes additional information like colour or intensity.